Finland's President Considers Russia's Decision to Close Consulate in St. Petersburg Unexpected

The President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, has admitted that Moscow's decision to close the Finnish consulate in St. Petersburg was a surprise for Helsinki. Niinistö noted that the decision to close the consulate has brought the situation to a new level.

He added that the decision to expel nine Finnish diplomats, on the contrary, did not surprise Helsinki, as Finland had previously announced the expulsion of nine employees from the Russian embassy.

President Niinistö emphasized that Finland is developing retaliatory measures for the closure of the consulate but did not elaborate on what those measures would entail.